Spectroscopic properties of anion radicals studied using pulse radiolysis

The anion radicals of benzophenone, amino derivatives of benzophenone, fluorenone, furil and antharcene have been generated by pulse radiolysis in acetonitrile solution and their spectroscopic and kinetic properties have been characterized. The G-value for generation of anion radicals in acetonitrile has been measured to be 1.01 ± 0.1 per 100 eV. We have also investigated the electron-transfer reactions from anion radicals of one kind of solutes to the ground state of another solute. This study has demonstrated that pulse radiolysis can be a useful technique for generation and characterization of anion radicals and for studying electron-transfer reactions using acetonitrile as solvent.     

2D-hyperfine sublevel correlation spectroscopy of tyrosyl radicals

Hyperfine sublevel correlation (HYSCORE) spectroscopy has been used to study the tyrosyl radicals in Photosystem II and bovine liver catalase. The HYSCORE data allow a complete resolution of all the 1H hyperfine tensors of these radicals. The present work shows that the proper analysis of the HYSCORE data allows the complete assignment of the 1H-hyperfine tensors in tyrosine radicals and this offers an alternative experimental tool relative to ENDOR.     

ESEEM studies of peptide nitrogen hyperfine coupling in tyrosyl radicals and model peptides

Tyrosyl radicals are important in long-range electron transfer in several enzymes, but the protein environmental factors that control midpoint potential and electron transfer rate are not well understood. To develop a more detailed understanding of the effect of protein sequence, we have performed 14N and 15N electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) measurements on tyrosyl radical, generated either in polycrystalline tyrosinate or in its 15N-labeled isotopomer, by UV photolysis. 14N-ESEEM was also performed on tyrosyl radical generated in tyrosine-containing pentapeptide samples. Simulation of the 14N- and 15N-tyrosyl radical ESEEM measurements yielded no significant isotropic hyperfine splitting to the amine or amide nitrogen; the amplitude of the anisotropic, nitrogen hyperfine coupling (0.21 MHz) was consistent with a dipole-dipole distance of 3.0 A. Density functional theory was used to calculate the isotropic and anisotropic hyperfine couplings to the amino nitrogen in four different tyrosyl radical conformers. Comparison with the simulated data suggested that the lowest energy radical conformer, generated in tyrosine at pH 11, has a 76 degrees Calpha-Cbeta-C1'-C2' ring and a -73 degrees C-Calpha-Cbeta-C1' backbone dihedral angle. In addition, the magnitude, orientation, and asymmetry of the nuclear quadrupole coupling tensor were derived from analysis of the tyrosyl radical 14N-ESEEM. The simulations showed differences in the coupling and orientation of the nuclear quadrupole tensor, when the tyrosinate and pentapeptide samples were compared. These results suggest sequence- or conformation-induced changes in the ionic character of the NH bond in different tyrosine-containing peptides.     

Nanosecond generation of tyrosyl radicals via laser-initiated decaging of oxalate-modified amino acids

We describe a general method for the unimolecular photochemical generation of tyrosyl radicals from a diaryl oxalate ester platform on the nanosecond time scale. Symmetric and asymmetric tyrosine oxalate esters have been prepared in gram quantities. Direct photocleavage of the oxalate linkage by laser flash photolysis affords tyrosyl radicals within 50 ns. This approach provides unnatural caged amino acids that may be incorporated into model and biological systems for the study of proton-coupled electron transfer in enzymatic catalysis.     

Spectroscopic analysis of asymmetric top free radicals

Several key problems involved in the analyses of spectra of asymmetric top molecules, i.e., the effective Hamiltonian, the representation and basis vector, identification of energy levels, the selection rules, the relative intensity, and Zeeman tuning rate, were elucidated systematically. Introducing the high-order centrifugal distortion terms into the effective Hamiltonian, the precision for calculation has been improved substantially, which allows us to analyze the high-lying rotational transitions. A global analysis of all available spectra of¹⁴N¹⁶O₂ in the ground vibronic state has been made to obtain a set of molecular constants of¹⁴N¹⁶O₂ in the ground vibronic state which is the most precise and extensive so far. Using the improved parameters, some FIR LMR lines left unassigned hitherto have been identified successfully.     

Factor analysis of transient spectra. Free radicals in cyclic dipeptides containing methionine

Factor analysis is introduced and applied to resolving puzzling behavior in the free-radical chemistry of the cyclic dipeptide cyclo-(D-Met-L-Met). Previously, spectral analysis of the transient absorption spectra, following the hydroxyl radical-induced oxidation of cyclo-(D-Met-L-Met), failed to match expectations seen when transient conductivity was used to monitor the same reaction sequence. In the current work, factor analysis is used to show that a radical cation is formed via the stabilization of the oxidized sulfur through the formation of two-centered three-electron bonds with the lone pairs on oxygen. This previously undetected radical resolves the discrepancy between transient absorption and transient conductivity observations.     

Spectroscopic investigation of interactions between dipeptides and vanadate(V) in solution

The reaction of vanadate(V) with a series of dipeptides (Val-Gln, Ala-Gln, Gly-Gln, Gly-Glu, and Ala-Gly) was investigated by UV-visible spectroscopy and multinuclear ((51)V, (14)N, (13)C) NMR spectroscopy in solution. It was possible to evaluate the formation constants of the corresponding complexes for which a molecular structure was proposed. Complex formation is favored by the presence of a functionalized or a sterically demanding side chain. The Val-Gln dipeptide which combines both properties exhibits one of the highest formation constant reported so far for dipeptides.     

PELDOR study on the tyrosyl radicals in the R2 protein of mouse ribonucleotide reductase

Pulse electron-electron double resonance (PELDOR) has been employed to measure the distance between the putative tyrosyl radicals in the two halves of the R2 subunit from mouse ribonucleotide reductase. The results provide experimental evidence that the active, tyrosyl radical containing mouse R2 subunit forms a homodimeric form in solution. The distance between the two tyrosyl radicals present in the dimer was determined to be 3.25 +/- 0.05 nm.     

Spectroscopic observation of atomic hydrogen radicals entrapped in icy hydrogen hydrate

A hydrogen molecule entrapped in the cages of icy hydrogen hydrate is confined in host water framework and thus behaves unlike pure solid or liquid hydrogen. The gamma-irradiated hydrogen radicals are for the first time observed from ESR and solid-state MAS 1H NMR spectra to stably exist in the icy hydrate channels without any collapse of the host framework, confirming the chemical shift consistency of ionized hydrogen derivatives. We discuss the confined icy hydrate channels, which can act as potential storage sites for simultaneously imprisoning both molecular and ionized hydrogen and further as icy nanoreactors.     

Self-organisation properties of homomeric dipeptides derived from valine

Three optically active liquid crystal (LC) homomeric dipeptides, in particular, a pair of enantiomers and a diastereomer formed by joining two half-disc-like entities through a dipeptide spacer comprising L-L, D-D and L-D valine residues, have been synthesised and characterised. Hydrogen-bond-directed self-assembly of these non-discoid supramolecules results in the formation columnar (Col) LC phase. They form a stable organo gel in polar organic solvents through intermolecular hydrogen bond, and their scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) images reveal the presence of entangled network. The interaction of these homomeric dipeptides with nanaoparticles (silica species) has also been investigated by SEM images and UV-visible experiments.     

Three different tyrosyl radicals identified in L-tyrosine HCl crystals upon gamma-irradiation: magnetic characterization and temporal evolution

High-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and X-band electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopies were used to investigate the effect of gamma-irradiation on single crystals of L-tyrosine hydrochloride at room temperature. The oxidation product is the tyrosyl radical formed by hydrogen abstraction from the phenolic group; interestingly, on freshly irradiated crystals, two tyrosyl radicals were identified, characterized by slightly different magnetic parameters. In particular, one of the two radicals, with a gxx value of 2.00621, has its phenoxyl oxygen strongly hydrogen-bonded to one or more donors; to our knowledge, this is the lower gxx value reported for tyrosyl radicals. These two oxidation radicals are found to evolve very slowly to a third, single more stable radical conformation. To interpret the experimental data, a possible molecular scenario is presented, where the process of radical formation can be seen as a hydrogen atom transfer or a proton-coupled electron transfer. These processes seem to be controlled by the specific network of hydrogen-bond interactions present in the crystal. The results are discussed in relation to their relevance for the interpretation of EPR spectra of tyrosyl radicals in biological systems.     

Two tyrosyl radicals stabilize high oxidation states in cytochrome C oxidase for efficient energy conservation and proton translocation

The reaction of oxidized bovine cytochrome c oxidase (bCcO) with hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) was studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) to determine the properties of radical intermediates. Two distinct radicals with widths of 12 and 46 G are directly observed by X-band EPR in the reaction of bCcO with H(2)O(2) at pH 6 and pH 8. High-frequency EPR (D-band) provides assignments to tyrosine for both radicals based on well-resolved g-tensors. The wide radical (46 G) exhibits g-values similar to a radical generated on L-Tyr by UV-irradiation and to tyrosyl radicals identified in many other enzyme systems. In contrast, the g-values of the narrow radical (12 G) deviate from L-Tyr in a trend akin to the radicals on tyrosines with substitutions at the ortho position. X-band EPR demonstrates that the two tyrosyl radicals differ in the orientation of their β-methylene protons. The 12 G wide radical has minimal hyperfine structure and can be fit using parameters unique to the post-translationally modified Y244 in bCcO. The 46 G wide radical has extensive hyperfine structure and can be fit with parameters consistent with Y129. The results are supported by mixed quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics calculations. In addition to providing spectroscopic evidence of a radical formed on the post-translationally modified tyrosine in CcO, this study resolves the much debated controversy of whether the wide radical seen at low pH in the bovine enzyme is a tyrosine or tryptophan. The possible role of radical formation and migration in proton translocation is discussed.     

Inter- and intramolecular effects of tyrosyl residues on flavin triplets and radicals as investigated by flash photolysis.

Abstract— Addition of tyrosine or derivatives to aqueous solutions of flavins does not significantly impede either formation of the flavin triplet or the rate of O₂ oxidation of the flavin radical generated by reaction of triplet with the phenol. However, the rate of radical decay is decreased. There is only a modest effect that results from altering the nature of the group on alkyl side chains of the flavin when the substituent, e.g. phenylalanine, does not complex avidly with the isoalloxazine system. However, when a tyrosyl or O-methyltyrosyl residue is covalently attached to an alkyl side chain at the N¹⁰-position of the flavin, the considerable intramolecular complexing that results markedly decreases the formation of flavin triplet and, therefore, the radical yield. The rate of triplet decay is not much different than for noninternally complexed flavins, but extensive intramolecular radical decay occurs, and the rate of 0₂ oxidation of radical is decreased. A shorter alkyl chain is more effective than a longer one for decreasing triplet production, but the greater proximity of a photooxidiz-able tyrosyl residue to the flavin nucleus within the former allows a slightly higher intramolecular radical yield. Attachment of a tyrosyl residue by a short chain from the N³-position of the flavin has only a modest effect on the production of flavin triplet and its decay. There is less radical production from internal than from external tyrosyl residues, and the rate of O₂ oxidation of the flavin radical generated by such intermolecular photoreductants as N-acetyl tyrosine ethyl ester or EDTA is somewhat decreased. The tyrosyl residue within the active-site peptide of mitochondrial monoamine oxidase is not so susceptible to photooxidation by the 8α-(S-L-cysteinyl)flavin involved, since the thioether linkage at this position severely reduces triplet production. Upon oxidation of the thioether to sulfone, however, the triplet yield is partially restored. Some flavin radical can then be generated from either the intra- or an intermolecular tyrosyl residue. Taken together, these results demonstrate that tyrosyl residues near the flavin-binding sites of flavo-proteins can become oxidized by the flavin triplet that is light-generated unless the proximity and steric disposition of the interactants is such as to allow dissipation of much of the energy as radiationless decay within a tight complex or unless an 8α-thioether linkage to the flavin coenzyme is involved. Also, flavin radicals, whether generated photochemically or by biochemical oxidation of substrate, are readily oxidized by O₂ in the presence of tyrosyl functions unless tight complexing occurs. More remarkable, though, is the decreased rate of radical decay conferred by the association with a tyrosyl residue. This stabilization of reactive flavin radicals may have considerable consequence in the catalytic mechanism of such enzymes.     

Luminescent properties of new naphthylnitroxyl radicals

Method of time-resolved fluorescence was applied to study the luminescent properties of several 3-and 2-imidazoline derivatives of naphthalene. For 2-imidazoline derivatives in which the imidazoline fragment is directly bound to the naphthalene fragment, a weak (quantum yield φ < 0.001) luminescence of common π-system containing the radical group and the naphthalene core was recorded. 3-imidazoline derivatives, in which naphthalene and imidazoline fragments are separated by an ethylene bridge, demonstrate luminescence with the spectrum similar to that of free naphthalene. Quantum yield of luminescence and life-time of singlet excited state of 3-imidazoline derivatives are ca. 50 times less than for free naphthalene, because of intramolecular quenching of the luminophore luminescence by a stable radical.     

Spectroscopic properties of anisole in mixed polar solvents

Absorption and emission spectra, fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes were studied for anisole in binary ethanol-water mixtures. The spectroscopic and photophysical properties show an exceptional behaviour in the aqueous solution. In water a strong nonradiative process, originating from the fluorescent state decreases the emission yield and lifetime. The results are discussed in terms of short range interactions between the solute and solvent.     

Ion radicals. XIII. Spectroscopic and cryoscopic characterization of ions and ion radicals from phenothiazine and N-methylphenothiazine in sulfuric acid solutions

The formation and interconversion of the N-methylphenothiazine cation radical and the N-methylphenothiazine dication from both N-methylphenothiazine and N-methylphenothiazine S-oxide in sulfuric acid solutions have been demonstrated with e.s.r. and absorption spectroscopy. Cryoscopic measurements have shown that in slightly aqueous sulfuric acid N-methylphenothiazine S-oxide is converted to the N-methylphenothiazine dication and, analogously, phenothiazine 5-oxide is converted to the protonated phenazathionium ion (the phenothiazine dication).     

Mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-substituted fluorotyrosines: new probes for enzymes that use tyrosyl radicals in catalysis

A set of N-acylated, carboxyamide fluorotyrosine (F(n)()Y) analogues [Ac-3-FY-NH(2), Ac-3,5-F(2)Y-NH(2), Ac-2,3-F(2)Y-NH(2), Ac-2,3,5-F(3)Y-NH(2), Ac-2,3,6-F(3)Y-NH(2) and Ac-2,3,5,6-F(4)Y-NH(2)] have been synthesized from their corresponding amino acids to interrogate the detailed reaction mechanism(s) accessible to F(n)()Y*s in small molecules and in proteins. These Ac-F(n)()Y-NH(2) derivatives span a pK(a) range from 5.6 to 8.4 and a reduction potential range of 320 mV in the pH region accessible to most proteins (6-9). DFT electronic-structure calculations capture the observed trends for both the reduction potentials and pK(a)s. Dipeptides of the methyl ester of 4-benzoyl-l-phenylalanyl-F(n)()Ys at pH 4 were examined with a nanosecond laser pulse and transient absorption spectroscopy to provide absorption spectra of F(n)()Y*s. The EPR spectrum of each F(n)()Y* has also been determined by UV photolysis of solutions at pH 11 and 77 K. The ability to vary systematically both pK(a) and radical reduction potential, together with the facility to monitor radical formation with distinct absorption and EPR features, establishes that F(n)()Ys will be useful in the study of biological charge-transport mechanisms involving tyrosine. To demonstrate the efficacy of the fluorotyrosine method in unraveling charge transport in complex biological systems, we report the global substitution of tyrosine by 3-fluorotyrosine (3-FY) in the R2 subunit of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) and present the EPR spectrum along with its simulation of 3-FY122*. In the companion paper, we demonstrate the utility of F(n)()Ys in providing insight into the mechanism of tyrosine oxidation in biological systems by incorporating them site-specifically at position 356 in the R2 subunit of Escherichia coli RNR.